Nearly everyone experiences lower back pain. It can be a once-in-awhile annoyance, or painful enough to keep you in bed. There are many things that can cause lower back pain. These can range from minor to serious, so it’s important to discuss any lower back pain with your doctor.

Muscle Strains and Sprains and Nerve Injuries

The most common causes of lower back pain are muscle sprains and strains. A muscle strain is an injury to the muscle, usually from overuse. Lifting heavy objects, a strenuous workout, a fall, or being in a car accident can all cause lower back pain. A sprain is an injury to the ligaments in the back, and can be caused in much the same way. Lower back pain can also be caused by injuries to the nerves in the back. Pressure on the nerves in the spine can cause lower back pain. The most common nerve injury in the back is a herniated disc, where a disc ruptures or bulges. It can be caused by a repeated motion, injury or overuse, and puts pressure on the nerves in the spinal column. This pressure compresses and irritates the nerves and causes pain in the lower back.

Spinal Injuries

Other causes of lower back pain are related to the spine. If you have been in an accident or have taken a fall, the pain in your lower back can be caused by a fracture of a vertebra. These fractures can be large enough to be seen on an x-ray, or can be small stress fractures or micro-fractures that need to be diagnosed by an MRI. Osteoarthritis can also cause lower back pain. This causes the joints in the spine to degenerate, leading to back pain. There can also be damage to the discs or vertebrae themselves.

Other Causes of Lower Back Pain

There are other causes of lower back pain that have nothing to do with the back itself. These should be both diagnosed and treated by a doctor. The most common of these are stress and depression. Both can manifest as pain in the lower back. Lower back pain can also indicate a urinary disease, such as kidney stones or a urinary tract infection. Gallbladder disease and prostate disease can also cause lower back pain. Pain the lower back can also be a symptom of diabetes, bacterial infection, or pancreatitis, so it is important to see your doctor to determine the cause. 

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